Galatians 3:14
What does Galatians 3:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 3:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 3:14 means
The goal of Christ’s redeeming work is twofold: that the blessing promised to Abraham would extend to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, and that all believers would receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith. This connects the ancient promise to present experience. The blessing is not limited to one nation; it flows to all who are in Christ. And the Spirit, given by faith, is the down payment and power of the new life. Law-keeping cannot bring this inheritance. Faith in Christ unites believers to Abraham’s blessing and ushers them into the life of the Spirit promised in God’s covenant plan.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
KJV
King James Version · 1611That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So that on the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; in order that we through faith might have the Spirit which God had undertaken to give.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862that to the nations the blessing of Abraham may come in Christ Jesus, that the promise of the Spirit we may receive through the faith.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus: that we may receive the promise of the Spirit by faith.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890that the blessing of Abraham might come to the nations in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Context
This verse concludes the argument of verses 10–14: from the curse of the law to Christ’s redemption to the universal blessing and the Spirit through faith. Next, in verses 15–18, Paul will use an analogy from human covenants to show that God’s earlier promise to Abraham cannot be annulled or altered by the later law. He will also identify Christ as the promised seed (verse 16). These arguments sustain the central claim: inheritance and justification come by promise and faith, not by the law.
v.13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
v.14This passage
v.15Brethren, I speak after the manner of men: Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet when it hath been confirmed, no one maketh it void, or addeth thereto.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 31:33
But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith Jehovah: I will put my law in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
- Luke 24:49
And behold, I send forth the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city, until ye be clothed with power from on high.
- Isaiah 51:2
Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you; for when he was but one I called him, and I blessed him, and made him many.
- Jeremiah 32:40
and I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from following them, to do them good; and I will put my fear in their hearts, that they may not depart from me.
- Jude 1:19
These are they who make separations, sensual, having not the Spirit.
- Ezekiel 39:29
neither will I hide my face any more from them; for I have poured out my Spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord Jehovah.
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